Gristilia
| Gristilia | |
|---|---|
| Image |  A photograph of Gristilia Harbor |
| Type | Port City |
| Location | On the west shore of Gristilia Bay, at the southern end of the Beilisco Mountains |
| Realm | Arezilur |
| Subregion | Beilisia |
| Inhabitants | Berturracio • Qerem |
| Significance | The largest city and only major port of Arezilur, and the center of the glass trade |
| Controlled by | Free City of Gristilia |
Introduction
Gristilia is the largest city of Arezilur and its only major port. It stands on Gristilia Bay at the southern end of Beilisia, below the glass peaks of the Beilisco Mountains, and has about 60,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Free City of Gristilia, which governs Beilisia, and it is governed by the Council of Gristilia, five elder women elected by the city's districts. Gristilia's wealth comes from the natural glass of Beilisia, which is carved from the mountains and exported through its harbor.
Etymology
The name Gristilia is derived from Gristillisco, "crystal bay", the Berturraci name for Gristilia Bay.
Geography
Gristilia stands on the west shore of Gristilia Bay, where the glass spires of the Beilisco Mountains end and the dunes of the Arezilur Desert reach the sea. The bay opens east onto the water between Arezilur and Jesselsom. A line of rocks lies offshore in front of the city, and there is no deep-water quay. Fort Attille stands on the point at the southern side of the bay.
A road runs north from the city along the edge of Beilisia to Arihis's Quarry and Gaiondo on the north coast, and south along the shore to Atte, where the caravan trail into the desert begins.
The city lies in one of the hottest parts of Arezilur. Summers are very hot, and rain is rare.
History
Gristilia grew from the place where the Berturracioi landed when they arrived in Arezilur by sea around 400 ME. Like other migrants, they came in search of land and a better living. The glass of Beilisia, which could be cut from the mountains without smelting, drew artisans to the site, and five Berturracio tribes settled there and formed the city: the Belidde, Underre, Aivile, Irbille and Illerre. The Council of Gristilia began as the council of these five tribes.
Gristilia has governed itself since its founding and has never been ruled by another state. As the glass trade grew, it extended its authority over Beilisia, from Gaiondo in the north to Atte in the south.
Districts
Gristilia is divided into six districts. Five of them each elect one member of the Council of Gristilia; the Government District is ruled directly by the council.
- Old Town, the oldest part of the city, around the landing place.
- Harbor District, along the waterfront, where cargo and passengers are brought ashore.
- Foundry District, where raw glass from Beilisia is cut, worked and finished.
- Qerem Quarter, home to most of the city's Qerem.
- Foreign Quarter, where most of the city's foreigners live, mainly Gostaldi.
- Government District, the seat of the Council of Gristilia.
Notable Locations
- The anchorage: ships anchor offshore beyond the rocks, and cargo and passengers are carried between ship and shore by boat.
- Fort Attille: the fort on the southern point of the bay, which holds the harbor guns.
Culture and Society
Gristilia is governed by the Council of Gristilia, made up of five elder women. The council has no leader; with five members it decides by simple vote. Its members originally represented the five tribes that founded the city and now represent the five districts. Each district elects its own member when a seat falls vacant on the death of the previous holder. Members usually come from families of master artisans. A member can be removed by the unanimous vote of the other four.
The council is advised by an oracle from one of the city's tribes, who has no vote.
About 42,000 of the city's inhabitants are Berturracioi, about 8,000 are Qerem, and about 10,000 are foreigners, most of them Gostaldi.
Spiritual Significance
The oracle who advises the council is a disciple of the Path of Nulai. Yeparchism, which the Berturracioi brought from Gosterra, survives as a minority faith and is stronger in Gristilia than elsewhere in Arezilur.
Economy
Gristilia's economy rests on glass. The natural glass of Beilisia is carved directly from the Beilisco Mountains, above all at Arihis's Quarry, and needs no smelting. It is very strong and cheap to produce, and it is regarded as the finest glass in the world. It is cut and worked in the Foundry District and exported through the harbor.
Gristilia is a steamship port with a telegraph. Its water comes from deep wells and cisterns and from trade with nearby oases. Smuggling is common.
Defense and Military
The city is defended by a city guard and by the harbor guns of Fort Attille. In time of need it hires mercenaries.
Dangers and Threats
Glasstorms and sandstorms strike the city from Beilisia and the desert, and the summer heat is severe.